With flu season just around the corner, federal health authorities have issued new guidelines for front-line health workers to help contain and prevent the spread of H1N1, a second wave of which is expected in the fall.
The recommendations include measures such as removing toys and magazines from waiting rooms, screening for swine flu during 911 calls and keeping emergency patients in separate rooms if they show flu symptoms.
For hospitals with minimal space, waiting-room patients should be separated by at least two metres from other patients or workers who do not exhibit symptoms.
For long-term care facilities, residents should be screened when they move in and then monitored by staff for symptoms at least once a day.
The documents emphasize risk assessment and "source control" strategies as the most effective measures for preventing transmission of H1N1.